Elliot Lake cancels drag race event, cites lack of interest, economic losses
The City of Elliot Lake has cancelled its annual drag racing event.
The Northern Shore Drag Race has been going on for the past two decades, and typically draws hundreds of vehicles and a thousand people.
Dan Gagnon, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the cancellation was primarily due to financial losses and decreasing interest. Gagnon said attendance has dropped in recent years.
He said organizing the event ties up municipal resources.
“The level of effort municipal staff time that needs to go into this. It’s a big, three-day event,” he said.
He said there were also changes in insurance requirements.
“We used to be able to hire a service club and provide a donation to them to do a certain piece of the logistic of the event and over time our insurers were concerned with that,” Gagnon said.
“It’s a fee for service and perhaps the service clubs aren’t insured adequately, so there was a lot of logistics.”
Gagnon said the economic boost wasn’t as significant as they originally hoped because the event was held at the airport.
“I have no doubt the economic impact for the event is great for the Province of Ontario, for grocery stores, and gas stations and beer stores from Ottawa to Wawa,” Gagnon said.
“What we see locally in Elliot Lake is not commensurate with the size and effort it takes to put on this event.”
Meanwhile in Chapleau, the township will host a drag race of its own the same weekend. Mayor Ryan Bignucolo said it was a good weekend to host a drag racing event.
“Drag racers go from one community to the next, you travel to all the different events,” he said.
“With (Elliot Lake’s) being cancelled … we took a chance and put it on that weekend because people already had it reserved for holidays and other things.”
Chapleau previously held a drag racing event in 2019 and Bignucolo said it was successful, drawing 1,000 people. He said he hopes the event this year will double that.
“I think it’s going to bring some good things to our community,” he said.
Gagnon said, while the city didn’t make the decision lightly, it is hopeful a non-profit will pick up the event next year.
The event will be held in Chapleau on the July 14 weekend. Bignucolo said volunteers and sponsors are still needed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.